Council to vote on cell tower

The City of Kirksville will attempt to move ahead with approval for a cellular communications tower on N. Cottage Grove Ave. about a month after the proposal failed to gain a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission.

If approved by Council, the tower could be constructed and a lease agreement with U.S. Cellular would net the city about $20,000 annually.

According to a staff report to the City Council, the P&Z meeting officially recorded 11 residents - mostly from the Kellwood/Overbrook area - speaking in opposition of the tower at the commission’s April meeting, citing concerns such as a loss of wildlife viewing, danger of the tower falling, unsafe radiation, potential negative impact on property values and an overall unsightly appearance.

The area in question is located on city property, which was formerly the North Waste Water Treatment Plant (it is now a lift station), just east of the city’s hike and bike trail and west of a large parcel of private property that features horses and other wildlife. U.S. Cellular selected the site as to increase capacity and call coverage within the area.

A company representative at the P&Z meeting last month said due to tower locations in the area there is a limited zone within which a new tower could be located. And while the spot on the city ground is not the most ideal location, it was selected because it was at a lower elevation, and the tower itself was designed to a height lower than what the FAA would require to be lit in efforts to minimize impact on the area.

Planning & Zoning did not recommend the measure by a narrow vote, with three against, two in favor, two abstentions and two members absent.

The lease agreement would charge U.S. Cellular $1,700 per month. The contract would be eligible for a five-year extension, each of which would raise the lease rate by 12 percent.